Swiss to decide on Polanski after Calif. ruling

GENEVA — Swiss authorities say they will decide on extraditing Roman Polanski after a California court rules whether he can be sentenced in absentia in a 33-year-old sex case.

Justice Ministry spokesman Folco Galli tells The Associated Press that a decision on sending Polanski back to Los Angeles was still pending.

Galli said Wednesday the "Justice Ministry will decide on the extradition only after the California Court of Appeal has decided whether to hold proceedings in absentia."

Polanski's attorneys say the 76-year-old director has served his time and claims gross misconduct in the case by the former judge.

Los Angeles prosecutors want Polanski returned to the United States.

Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978 after admitting to having sex with a 13-year-old girl.